photo: weekly snaps
graphic: Martha G. Brady
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry!
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.Chorus: Saviour, Saviour, Hear my humble cry!
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me!
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heav’n but Thee?Chorus: Saviour, Saviour, Hear my humble cry!
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
Wednesday, at our Ash Wednesday service, we had a more liturgical service than we normally do. The only music was piano and one guitar. It was very simple, almost stark.
But it was beautiful. As we read through prayers and Scripture together, we were reminded why Jesus had to die…for our sin!
Some of the Scriptures we read together were Psalm 130 and Psalm 51.
The service began and ended with this song by Fanny Crosby.
The prayer is that while GOD is visiting others “at the throne of mercy” that He would not neglect the one who is praying or pass them by…me.
With the simple tune that was more of a simple country version of the original tune and the simple accompaniment, it simplified everything down to basics.
- What is my relationship to GOD?
- Have I faced my sin and the effect it had on Jesus as He carried my sin to GOD and paid for it with His blood and separation from GOD?
- Do I think about the pain I cause others when I sin against them?
- Am I grateful for the free gift of grace GOD has given me in salvation?
Whether you celebrate Lent officially or not, this is a time to pause and think about what GOD has done for us in this season before Easter. Our giving up of something for Lent is not nearly so important as our stopping to consider what Christ gave up for us!
He gave up everything to step into our world and put aside His privileges for a few years to be human. In a way I don’t completely understand, He became fully GOD and fully man. That is what was required for Him to fully complete our salvation.
During Lent, you may want to ask,
-
What am I grateful for?
-
What has GOD done for me?
Because our giving up of things does nothing to improve our standing before GOD.
I love this old song. We used to sing it when I was growing up!
yes, we did too. somehow, this arrangement, sung so simply feels a little more soulful. a little more pleading…even tho’ He doesn’t need us to beg or plead, i think we often need to put it into words!
I’ve recently come to appreciate hymns and spiritual songs with fresh ears…a fresh heart. I remember that song well. these songs don’t need to be dressed up with instrumentation. They sound best raw. A voice carried by a sea of fellow believers. And maybe a fan. For some reason I think its hot in this sanctuary. lol. Happy Sunday friend!
i so agree lisha. it almost had the feel of a spiritual. sometimes the simple words and music are the best aren’t they?
music in the raw seems to match the way we our souls feel too!